Is it possible to retain a Class 1 after a brain tumour?
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Of course, you are entitled to ask those questions VFR...anyone would in your situation...and probably many times over.....
The courage you have shown and the clarity with which you have told your unfolding story I am sure has been and will be an inspiration to many who may be in or have yet to face similar.....
I am sorry I cannot assist in answering your query...but I am sure you will get replies...
Stay positive..( I know, I am sorry, thats easy for me to say)...and keep us advised.......
The courage you have shown and the clarity with which you have told your unfolding story I am sure has been and will be an inspiration to many who may be in or have yet to face similar.....
I am sorry I cannot assist in answering your query...but I am sure you will get replies...
Stay positive..( I know, I am sorry, thats easy for me to say)...and keep us advised.......
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Hi there VFR.
I stumbled on your story this evening and I too am rooting for you. Three years ago I was happy in my dream job flying CRJs for a regional carrier in South Africa when I too was diagnosed with an uninvited pax in my head. Mine was a large pituitary adenoma, and thus not as scary as yours. It still rocked my world though. I'm not going to bore you with the details of my story, but what I would like to say is the following:
Your positive attitude shines through in all your posts, and believe me, that is more important than anything. Hang on to that, because once you lose it, it is a hard slog to get it back.
As I am a fan of straight answers, I will be straight with you. The South African CAA is very similar to the British CAA, and ours do not like seizures. Nor do they like any drugs that may have an effect on mental functioning.
During your biopsy, your dura would have been penetrated. Over here that means a two year grounding, regardless of other factors. This is due to the possibility of CSF leaks, infection and haemorrhaging.
So why am I telling you this. I had to learn the hard way that when it comes to brain tumours, patience is very important. Beat the tumour. Then start thinking about your medical. Otherwise it may drive you nuts.
On the positive side. Getting your medical back is a real possibility. What I have found over here, is that the CAA and its associated medical panel have started becoming more accommodating. Where, in the past, they have been stringent followers of protocol, they are becoming more and more willing to consider individual cases based on their merits. This I believe is in line with international trends. There has also been talk of considering a restricted class 1 medical. One which specifies multi-crew only and no possibility of PIC. Career FO in other words.
So, don't lose hope. Be patient. Get well first! Keep busy! And stay positive. We are a special breed and no-one outside of the game really understands what it means to us. So keep in touch with your collegues and pilot friends. Stay active in the industry. I became a volunteer with ALPA just to stay in the circle. Do not procrastinate, and most importantly, forgive yourself for being ill! It is not your fault. There is no reason. It just happened. Now walk through it!
Just my 5 cents worth.
I stumbled on your story this evening and I too am rooting for you. Three years ago I was happy in my dream job flying CRJs for a regional carrier in South Africa when I too was diagnosed with an uninvited pax in my head. Mine was a large pituitary adenoma, and thus not as scary as yours. It still rocked my world though. I'm not going to bore you with the details of my story, but what I would like to say is the following:
Your positive attitude shines through in all your posts, and believe me, that is more important than anything. Hang on to that, because once you lose it, it is a hard slog to get it back.
As I am a fan of straight answers, I will be straight with you. The South African CAA is very similar to the British CAA, and ours do not like seizures. Nor do they like any drugs that may have an effect on mental functioning.
During your biopsy, your dura would have been penetrated. Over here that means a two year grounding, regardless of other factors. This is due to the possibility of CSF leaks, infection and haemorrhaging.
So why am I telling you this. I had to learn the hard way that when it comes to brain tumours, patience is very important. Beat the tumour. Then start thinking about your medical. Otherwise it may drive you nuts.
On the positive side. Getting your medical back is a real possibility. What I have found over here, is that the CAA and its associated medical panel have started becoming more accommodating. Where, in the past, they have been stringent followers of protocol, they are becoming more and more willing to consider individual cases based on their merits. This I believe is in line with international trends. There has also been talk of considering a restricted class 1 medical. One which specifies multi-crew only and no possibility of PIC. Career FO in other words.
So, don't lose hope. Be patient. Get well first! Keep busy! And stay positive. We are a special breed and no-one outside of the game really understands what it means to us. So keep in touch with your collegues and pilot friends. Stay active in the industry. I became a volunteer with ALPA just to stay in the circle. Do not procrastinate, and most importantly, forgive yourself for being ill! It is not your fault. There is no reason. It just happened. Now walk through it!
Just my 5 cents worth.
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Guys,
Thanks for the wise words. It is strange how much one can gain from talking and more important listening about events and challenges that one faces.
As an update, I have written to the CAA following a conversation with my AME to update them as to my situation.
We wait with baited breath....
Thanks for the wise words. It is strange how much one can gain from talking and more important listening about events and challenges that one faces.
As an update, I have written to the CAA following a conversation with my AME to update them as to my situation.
We wait with baited breath....
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Guys,
Thanks for the wise words. It is strange how much one can gain from talking and more important listening about events and challenges that one faces.
As an update, I have written to the CAA following a conversation with my AME to update them as to my situation.
We wait with baited breath....
Thanks again,
VFR
Thanks for the wise words. It is strange how much one can gain from talking and more important listening about events and challenges that one faces.
As an update, I have written to the CAA following a conversation with my AME to update them as to my situation.
We wait with baited breath....
Thanks again,
VFR
Best of luck!
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Thanks guys,
Had yet another MRI today to assess progress/rate of growth. The result will hopefully be indistinguishable from the pictures some 3 months ago. Here's hoping anyhow.
I am hoping the CAA consider me for a restricted class 1, with a multi crew restriction and possibly more frequent medicals and possibly frequent MRI scans. After all if you don't ask you, don't get!
Had yet another MRI today to assess progress/rate of growth. The result will hopefully be indistinguishable from the pictures some 3 months ago. Here's hoping anyhow.
I am hoping the CAA consider me for a restricted class 1, with a multi crew restriction and possibly more frequent medicals and possibly frequent MRI scans. After all if you don't ask you, don't get!
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The waiting goes on and on. Spoke to the CAA the other day who confirmed my letter was with an aeromedical assesor so 8 have everything crossed.
As an aside, a week Thursday is a huge day, it's results day 2 and we see if there has been any growth identifiable from the last 3 months.
Thanks all for your support.
As an aside, a week Thursday is a huge day, it's results day 2 and we see if there has been any growth identifiable from the last 3 months.
Thanks all for your support.
Psychophysiological entity
The waiting must be so difficult. So little we can say, but we'll be popping in regularly to see how things are going. Best of luck for Thursday week.
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vfrrider,
Best of luck for Thursday. It certainly sounds like you are keeping your spirits high and so you should. As i said before in my experience the CAA have a very sensible view on brain tumours. In my case once all the reports were in from the my neurosurgeon and neurologist getting my medical back happened in days and it was just two months after my procedure to cut off the blood supply to the tumour. My medical does have an OML for a period of two years but it is possible to retain a class one medical after a tumour so keep on going.
Good luck!!!
Best of luck for Thursday. It certainly sounds like you are keeping your spirits high and so you should. As i said before in my experience the CAA have a very sensible view on brain tumours. In my case once all the reports were in from the my neurosurgeon and neurologist getting my medical back happened in days and it was just two months after my procedure to cut off the blood supply to the tumour. My medical does have an OML for a period of two years but it is possible to retain a class one medical after a tumour so keep on going.
Good luck!!!
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The Dean and all,
Apologies for the delay in updating, however I have just had a few days holiday to absorb the interim news.
Medically the scan came back reporting a stable lesion ie. no appeciable growth or changes. It does go some way to validating the unnerving treatment plan of watch and wait.
Unfortunately, I had the mother of all migraines the other week, lasting some 48 hours complete with visual disturbances and loss of part of my peripheral vision on the right hand side. This loss was most apparent as I kept banging inito things on my right hand side. Some things wern't even that small, including tables, chairs and the like.
Quite the unnerving and disturbing experience all told. Indeed after several weeks of feeling much happier, it feels very much like a backwards step. It's all the more upsetting as I should be training for the Great North Run, but now I am nervous about both training and the event should I suffer further set backs.
A quick trip to the GP and I feel much more human after a few days, but I have no idea what the long term implications of this may be.
The CAA have requested a report from my neuro-oncologist, so I shall forward that request on to him in the coming days with an appropriate covering letter. I am going to pitch for a restricted class 1 with a restriction of multicrew only to see what happens next.
Again apologies for the lack of updates but the medical merrygo round has been spinning quite fast over the last 2 weeks.
Kind regards,
VFR
Apologies for the delay in updating, however I have just had a few days holiday to absorb the interim news.
Medically the scan came back reporting a stable lesion ie. no appeciable growth or changes. It does go some way to validating the unnerving treatment plan of watch and wait.
Unfortunately, I had the mother of all migraines the other week, lasting some 48 hours complete with visual disturbances and loss of part of my peripheral vision on the right hand side. This loss was most apparent as I kept banging inito things on my right hand side. Some things wern't even that small, including tables, chairs and the like.
Quite the unnerving and disturbing experience all told. Indeed after several weeks of feeling much happier, it feels very much like a backwards step. It's all the more upsetting as I should be training for the Great North Run, but now I am nervous about both training and the event should I suffer further set backs.
A quick trip to the GP and I feel much more human after a few days, but I have no idea what the long term implications of this may be.
The CAA have requested a report from my neuro-oncologist, so I shall forward that request on to him in the coming days with an appropriate covering letter. I am going to pitch for a restricted class 1 with a restriction of multicrew only to see what happens next.
Again apologies for the lack of updates but the medical merrygo round has been spinning quite fast over the last 2 weeks.
Kind regards,
VFR
Psychophysiological entity
Thanks for the update.
Firstly, in many of my posts about Classical Migraine, I've suggested long, deep-seated worry to be the cause in many cases. (Stress seems to come way down the list, though I wouldn't discount it.)
You certainly have had a protracted period of profound worry.
The 'Aura' of migraine is often understated in the extreme. Total loss of part of your vision might well be attributable migraine alone.
However, the area of 'visual numbness' did tally with the area of your problem, but this might be nothing more than coincidence. It may seem like wishful thinking, but it's a fact. I know for certain one patient who lost the right third of their visual field for some minutes. It progressed into a 'normal' migraine, and there's been no recurrence for many years.
There are numerous permutations of possibilities, but for now I feel you need to work hard at compartmentalizing your issues, and to some extent accepting that the road ahead is going to be far from plain sailing.
Assuming it was 'just' a migraine. In an attempt to eliminate the distressing symptoms, it's vital to lift that burden of worry.
It would be ridiculous tell you to not to worry, but you have to think as positively as possible. The skilled support team working for you, and the slow nature of the problem - two major factors in your favor - would be a good starting place.
Firstly, in many of my posts about Classical Migraine, I've suggested long, deep-seated worry to be the cause in many cases. (Stress seems to come way down the list, though I wouldn't discount it.)
You certainly have had a protracted period of profound worry.
The 'Aura' of migraine is often understated in the extreme. Total loss of part of your vision might well be attributable migraine alone.
However, the area of 'visual numbness' did tally with the area of your problem, but this might be nothing more than coincidence. It may seem like wishful thinking, but it's a fact. I know for certain one patient who lost the right third of their visual field for some minutes. It progressed into a 'normal' migraine, and there's been no recurrence for many years.
There are numerous permutations of possibilities, but for now I feel you need to work hard at compartmentalizing your issues, and to some extent accepting that the road ahead is going to be far from plain sailing.
Assuming it was 'just' a migraine. In an attempt to eliminate the distressing symptoms, it's vital to lift that burden of worry.
It would be ridiculous tell you to not to worry, but you have to think as positively as possible. The skilled support team working for you, and the slow nature of the problem - two major factors in your favor - would be a good starting place.
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I am going to pitch for a restricted class 1 with a restriction of multicrew only to see what happens next.
Best of luck to you and keep your thoughts positive!
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EP,
No problems, the letter from the CAA has gone on to the consultant neurosurgeon for his report. I have added a covering letter to explain a little more about what I am looking for from the CAA so hopefully he can focus on that area.
LR,
I'm no psychologist, but certainly a key factor in recent events is stress. The results of the stress can obviously manifest in several ways, and I suspect the migraine was one such manifestation. I appreciate the need to compartmentalise my issues, however I feel I need to make a little distinction.
Some of my posts have been written in an open and slightly raw manner. As a result the reflection is very much the acute feelings or sensations at the time the post was written. In the long term, the weather is much brighter that the short term squalls might imply. My focus in the intial days highlighted family, finances, health etc. Now many of these areas have been worked upon between me and my wife and are in stable and comfortable place.
With every checkup, scan or appointment there is obviously a blip in the stress level, but these very rapidly ease. My focus over the last 8 weeks has shifted from the what if...over to lets find out what I can do. The intial barrage from work and healthcare professionals reinforces a very negative viewpoint with "you can't do x,y,z..." I have set myself challenges looking forwards of completing an open univeristy qualification which I am part way through; working through the medical situation with the CAA; looking at roles outside of my current employment in the police that interest me should aviation not be available; and finally, and much more importantly looking for opportunities to enjoy life with friends and family.
My thoughts months ago obviouly looked at short term issues, but these days look at years. All of this is much easier of course when not feeling ill.
As far as compartmentalisation goes following that little lot, I wouldn't really know how to do so, but then every road with illness is different for every individual I suspect.
The future isn't orange, but it's certainly mine for the taking. Oh and most of my vision has come back over the last few days, but at least I have an insight as to what may come, hopefully many years into the future,
Kind regards,
VFR
No problems, the letter from the CAA has gone on to the consultant neurosurgeon for his report. I have added a covering letter to explain a little more about what I am looking for from the CAA so hopefully he can focus on that area.
LR,
I'm no psychologist, but certainly a key factor in recent events is stress. The results of the stress can obviously manifest in several ways, and I suspect the migraine was one such manifestation. I appreciate the need to compartmentalise my issues, however I feel I need to make a little distinction.
Some of my posts have been written in an open and slightly raw manner. As a result the reflection is very much the acute feelings or sensations at the time the post was written. In the long term, the weather is much brighter that the short term squalls might imply. My focus in the intial days highlighted family, finances, health etc. Now many of these areas have been worked upon between me and my wife and are in stable and comfortable place.
With every checkup, scan or appointment there is obviously a blip in the stress level, but these very rapidly ease. My focus over the last 8 weeks has shifted from the what if...over to lets find out what I can do. The intial barrage from work and healthcare professionals reinforces a very negative viewpoint with "you can't do x,y,z..." I have set myself challenges looking forwards of completing an open univeristy qualification which I am part way through; working through the medical situation with the CAA; looking at roles outside of my current employment in the police that interest me should aviation not be available; and finally, and much more importantly looking for opportunities to enjoy life with friends and family.
My thoughts months ago obviouly looked at short term issues, but these days look at years. All of this is much easier of course when not feeling ill.
As far as compartmentalisation goes following that little lot, I wouldn't really know how to do so, but then every road with illness is different for every individual I suspect.
The future isn't orange, but it's certainly mine for the taking. Oh and most of my vision has come back over the last few days, but at least I have an insight as to what may come, hopefully many years into the future,
Kind regards,
VFR
Psychophysiological entity
In the long term, the weather is much brighter that the short term squalls might imply.
Well, it sounds as though you couldn't possibly do more. That really is a positive outlook.
Again, all the best.
LR
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VFR,
I am a Retired Police Officer and you don't seem to mention receiving any support from within "The job " or Federation which surprises me. I do hope you and your family are receiving support?
I am now flying on a NPPL having suffered a TIA stroke 2 years ago. I do hope you manage to fly as I know how desperate you feel when it is suddenly taken away from you and I was only doing it as a hobby!
We are all routing for you within and outside the job I am sure!
I am a Retired Police Officer and you don't seem to mention receiving any support from within "The job " or Federation which surprises me. I do hope you and your family are receiving support?
I am now flying on a NPPL having suffered a TIA stroke 2 years ago. I do hope you manage to fly as I know how desperate you feel when it is suddenly taken away from you and I was only doing it as a hobby!
We are all routing for you within and outside the job I am sure!
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I share my opinion with that of Loose rivets and the analogy is just spot on. The greener grasses (or the blue skies) will come. You seem to be taking this all too well and that's a good thing.
As always, keep it up!
Best of luck... really
Ed
As always, keep it up!
Best of luck... really
Ed
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BWBI,
Many thanks for your help re: the police.
I have to be honest and report that the Federation have been excellent, and my local management and occy health in the force have been very good. I am seeking an ill health retirement, whether I'll get it I don't know. The support is there for me to use as required, I just haven't needed much thus far. Certainly they were excellent when I had my diagnosis and minor op they were very supportive.
As an aside would you mind pm'ing me, I could do with a chat over how you got back to a DVLA class 1 medical/NPPL declaration should the CAA not be able to return my medical status?
Many thanks,
VFR
Many thanks for your help re: the police.
I have to be honest and report that the Federation have been excellent, and my local management and occy health in the force have been very good. I am seeking an ill health retirement, whether I'll get it I don't know. The support is there for me to use as required, I just haven't needed much thus far. Certainly they were excellent when I had my diagnosis and minor op they were very supportive.
As an aside would you mind pm'ing me, I could do with a chat over how you got back to a DVLA class 1 medical/NPPL declaration should the CAA not be able to return my medical status?
Many thanks,
VFR